The second annual Planet Frame International Youth Short Film Festival was held at the Historic Morganton Courthouse Square on Sept. 25 and 26. Pictured (from left) are Planet Frame founder Anna Raevskaya and the following creators of the expedition documentary “Why We Climb?”: Jacob Ciofoletti, Whisper Smith, Luke Chamberlin, Langston Lacombe, and Easton Hensley.
Sound designer Miles Riesgaard (left), director J. Wyatt Turner (center), and co-writer/actor Kamron Henry (right) received the Planet Frame Special Award for their work on the film “Good Job.”
American actress Carrie Stauber, who appears in the recently released feature film “The Rivals of Amziah King” alongside Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, served as a special guest during the Planet Frame International Youth Short Film Festival.
The second annual Planet Frame International Youth Short Film Festival was held at the Historic Morganton Courthouse Square on Sept. 25 and 26. Pictured (from left) are Planet Frame founder Anna Raevskaya and the following creators of the expedition documentary “Why We Climb?”: Jacob Ciofoletti, Whisper Smith, Luke Chamberlin, Langston Lacombe, and Easton Hensley.
Approximately 120 people attended the second annual Planet Frame International Youth Short Film Festival at the Historic Morganton Courthouse Square on Sept. 25 and 26.
Young filmmakers shared their stories on the big screen, local teens saw their own films presented to a live audience for the first time, and the festival’s online broadcast allowed viewers beyond North Carolina to take part as well.
Morganton resident Ellie Ramazzini created the documentary “My Guatemalan Roots.”
PLANET FRAME / FOR THE PAPER
A special part of this year’s program was the work created through the local Planet Frame Film Lab. From May through August, Ellie Ramazzini worked on “My Guatemalan Roots,” while Carolina Outdoor Recreation & Education (CORE) students created the film expedition “Why We Climb?” They went through the entire filmmaking process — from the original idea and story development to filming and editing — before finally seeing their work on the big screen in front of an audience.
Sound designer Miles Riesgaard (left), director J. Wyatt Turner (center), and co-writer/actor Kamron Henry (right) received the Planet Frame Special Award for their work on the film “Good Job.”
PLANET FRAME / FOR THE PAPER
J. Wyatt Turner traveled from Wilmington to attend the festival and personally present his film “Good Job.” His timely and relevant work received the Planet Frame Special Award.
The Water Quality & Watershed Science Award, presented by the Lake James Environmental Association, went to “Undercurrents” by Nepal-born, New York-based filmmaker Aayas D. Joshi. The special award connected youth filmmaking with issues surrounding water, watersheds, environmental awareness, and responsibility for natural resources.
The Planet Frame 2026 international jury included Marshall Taylor, Jane Cantwell, Elena Tabanova-Dimitrova, and Lily Laramie, who contributed their time and professional perspectives to reviewing the work of young filmmakers.
American actress Carrie Stauber, who appears in the recently released feature film “The Rivals of Amziah King” alongside Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, served as a special guest during the Planet Frame International Youth Short Film Festival.
PLANET FRAME / FOR THE PAPER
The festival’s special guest was American actress Carrie Stauber, who appears in the recently released feature film “The Rivals of Amziah King” alongside Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey.
At the same time, Planet Frame extended far beyond the festival screen in Morganton. Through its online broadcast and international ambassador network, the festival connected Morganton with audiences and participants in other parts of the world, including Croatia, Malaysia, Bulgaria, and China.
Audience members watch a film during the Planet Frame International Youth Short Film Festival.
PLANET FRAME / FOR THE PAPER
For Planet Frame, this connection between the local and the global is at the heart of the festival. A young person can create a film in their hometown or on the other side of the world, but the story reaches its purpose when there is someone on the other side of the screen ready to watch it.
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